Council weighs dock ban again

Wednesday

Feb 27, 2008 at 2:00 AM

BARNSTABLE — Town council members have butted heads recently over a proposed ban on new docks and piers in some area waters. Tomorrow, an alternative plan will be introduced that would limit the ban to two years.

ROBERT GOLD

BARNSTABLE — Town council members have butted heads recently over a proposed ban on new docks and piers in some area waters. Tomorrow, an alternative plan will be introduced that would limit the ban to two years.

Councilors Richard Barry and Ann Canedy who originally proposed a permanent ban, have now submitted a plan to limit it to two year.

The initial proposal did not get enough votes to pass last month. It is expected to be voted on again tomorrow. If that doesn't pass again or is withdrawn, Barry said the two-year proposal could be substituted and voted on March 6.

The proposal, if passed, would create a zoning district barring the construction of new docks and piers on 114 acres of local waters already categorized by state and town officials as designated shellfish areas. This includes sections of Cotuit Bay, Barnstable Harbor and West Bay.

Supporters of the limited ban have argued that motor boats blast away silt and other sediment that are critical shellfish habitat, compromising the fishery. Losing shellfish areas weakens a source of income, food and tourism, proponents argue.

Opponents of the proposal say it would unfairly punish private property owners and could hurt some businesses, such as marine contractors.

The sides have made conflicting arguments on its affect on property values.

Currently, the conservation commission looks at new proposals on a case-by-case basis.

Barry said the two-year ban is a compromise. It would give the town enough time to conduct a harbor management study, including the impact of a docks and piers ban.

Town Councilor Frederick Chirigotis, who worried that the zoning change could hurt property values, said the two-year proposal "is better than a complete ban."